FBI Offers $100,000 for information on ‘AK-47 Bandit’

Authorities are offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a man suspected of shooting a Chino California police officer and robbing four banks with an AK-47.

The FBI and police in multiple are on the look out for the man who has committed robberies in California, Washington, Idaho and Nebraska, according to police.

In August, the suspect, dubbed the “AK-47 Bandit” was linked to an August 22, robbery at the First Nebraska Bank in Nebraska City, Nebraska.

“During the robbery, the suspect carried a duffel bag and an assault rifle with a drum magazine similar to the weapon seen in his earlier robberies,” stated a law enforcement media release.

Though the suspect has not been connected with crimes in Oregon, law enforcement officials are conducting a multi-state search for his whereabouts.

The suspect was described as a white male, 25 to 40 years old, five foot nine inches to six feet tall, with a large build and blue eyes.

Investigators stated the suspect knows how to use the AK-47 and “will not hesitate before shooting someone in order to avoid capture.”

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The suspect was wanted for the following crimes:

"Chino robbery and attempted murder:

During a robbery that occurred on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at the California Bank & Trust on 5455 Riverside Drive in Chino, California, the suspect was described by witnesses as a white male, 25-40 years old, with a stocky build. Following the armed bank robbery, a police officer patrolling the area came upon the bank robbery suspect who was fleeing the bank he had just robbed with the assault rifle. The suspect fired upon the officer and seriously wounded him. During and following the robbery, the suspect wore body armor over a dark-colored collared short-sleeved shirt and blue pants, as well as a ski mask covering his face. The suspect was seen leaving the scene in a vehicle described as a dark gray Nissan Maxima with four doors and tinted windows.

Prior to the bank robbery, a threat was called into the 911 dispatch center from a payphone in the general vicinity of the bank by a male caller. Investigators believe the suspect employed a diversionary tactic in an attempt to delay officers responding to the bank robbery. Additional information and photographs can be found at http://www.chinopd.org.

Northern California robbery and attempt:

The suspect is also believed to be connected to the March 12, 2012, robbery of the Bank of the West on the 1000 block of Helen Power Drive in Vacaville, California. He has also been linked to an attempted robbery three days prior on March 9, 2012, of the Tri Counties Bank on the 1700 block of Challenge Way in Sacramento, California. The suspect is believed to have used the above-described Nissan Maxima in both the Vacaville robbery and the Sacramento attempted robbery.

Washington State Robbery:

On July 6, 2012, a similar takeover-style robbery occurred at the Chase Bank on Mt. Si Boulevard in North Bend, Washington. The suspect was armed with an AK-47 style rifle equipped with a drum magazine. He had a loud, deep voice with no obvious accent, and threatened to shoot the tellers if they did not hurry. The suspect carried the cash by hand as he did not bring a bag. A dirty, reddish-orange Jeep Patriot or Liberty was parked out front of the bank as a getaway vehicle. It may have had out-of-state license plates with a prominent blue stripe across the top.

Idaho Robbery:

On November 7, 2012, a robbery took place at the East Idaho Credit Union in Rexburg, Idaho. At approximately 4:30 pm, the suspect entered the bank with what may have been an assault rifle and ordered the employees and customers into the vault. After obtaining the money, the suspect fled in a dark blue sedan with tinted windows and a red and blue license plate. He was last seen headed south on South Yellowstone Highway.

Nebraska Robbery: Described earlier in this release."

Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the suspect was asked to contact investigators at 1 800-CALL-FBI.